The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-06-08
ROMANCE OF A PARSONAGE.

hills OF eastern France, none OF more
smiling, gracious aspect. There is
picturesqueness, too, about its quiet
streets, the low arcades with round
arches recalling Spanish occupation
OF Franche Counte, part OF the rich
dover OF Mary OF Burgundy, and bits
OF Spanish domestic architecture re-
main here and there. Round about
rise the pleasant hills, mere gentle
declivities, although designated by
the name OF mountains in these parts;
little river runs by the town, hiding
itself in a green valley; beyond tower
the dark pine forests OF the Jura;
while far away stretches the Alpine
fairyland, Mont Blanc, and its sister
peakes, flakes Of violet and amber in
the far distance So dead alive this
townling of 1000 or 5000 souls, so
unfrequented by tourists and remote
from the highways OF the world, that
not carriage awaits the chance trav-
eler who makes halt here. Only O
tumble down omnibus, for the con-
venience of business men, plies between
the railway station and the one inn
OF the place. Into this cumbersome
vehicle, on q bright September day,
stepped lady whose appearance was
little in keeping with such shabby sur
roundings. Her dress was simple
enough certainly, nuns were hardly
palmer, yet the black gown OF light
gauze, the long veil that seemed part
OF it and the small bonnet, a mere
coronet of jet on the golden hair,
but served to heighten tine wearer's
beauty. Hers was lovliress OF
the most dignifed kind, features, fig
ure, carriage, indicated the nobility
impaired by high rank and elegant
bringing up. as we'll as certain state
natural to some women; and, in spite
OF the studied sobriety OF dress, evid-
ences were there OF ancestral wealth
and splendor. From her small ears
hung rare enamels in the quaint set
ting OF the Renaissance. The brooch
that fastened her dress was fleur de
lis fashioned OF pearls, evidently an
heirloom; and as she gathered up her
skirts to step into the omnibus, fiounce
OF rich lace fell over the slender foot.
There was no other passengers, and
the housed conductor. hat in hand,
stood by the door awaiting instruc.
tions. So self absorbed, however, was
the lady, that she did not notice his
presence, and he was obliged at last to
ask her destination.
Slightly coloring, and with the air
OF one aroused from deep reverie, she
made reply
Drive me il you please, to the Pro-
testant parsonage"
Once or twice, when the horses
slackened speed, and she thought it
was time TO alight, her color went and
came, she trembled violently and
drew deep breath; but when indeed
the wheel stood still, by tremendous
effort she recovered self possession.
as the Pastor Anville-withinY"
Her voice did not tremble. but it was
in q strained key. She had turned
very pale, and was evidently asking
herself whether indeed she had cour-
age to fulfill her errand.
"The Pastor Anville-I am he, ="
was the reply, spoken brief and alb
sently.
The minister had evidently been dis
turbed in the midst OF occupation,
and had not so much as given him
self time to identify his intruder.
This much was clear-a lady waited
on his threshold; he felt bound to in
vite her within.
He was q striking looking man, in
middle life-that is to say, in his prime.
But for the habiliments OF Protest
ant pastor, be must at once have
been taken for a Catholic priest. The
priestlv stamp was undoubtedly there
the fine features closely shaver, the
penetrating look, the general aspect,
recalled rather the disciple OF LoyolG
than OF Calvin; and, could it beY the
crown of the head showed unmistaka-
BILE signs of the tonsural
He was no meanly endowed son OF
Adam, quite the reverse; but for all
that an observer would single him out
OF crowd by reason of intellectual
rather than physical superiority. The
noble brow, the commanding look
marked him from others. He ought
to have occupied one Of the metropol-
itan nulnits OF the world. Such a